The room was cloaked in the kind of silence that only came deep into the night, when even the steady hum of machines and the faint shuffle of nurses seemed distant. A dull light from the corridor slipped in through the half-open door, casting soft shadows on the walls. Aaron sat back against the hospital bed’s pillows, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion but far from sleep. It was one of those nights when rest hovered just out of reach, no matter how heavy his body felt.
The door creaked softly as it opened wider, and Alaia stepped inside. She moved quietly, as if not wanting to disturb the stillness of the room. Her presence felt familiar—almost comforting—but it also carried a weight, like something unspoken was hanging between them.
"Hey," she whispered, giving Aaron a small smile as
